For P's 30th birthday, I attempted to gather "Paul's 30 Favorite Things".  Several of stuffs I was unable to find on time, a couple I couldn't afford, and for one I'm still praying.  For the last five on the list, I wanted to share my five (of oh-so-many) fondest memories of Paul (and hopefully they are his as well).

5. One very snowy, winter night, we discovered that we've both been reading My Utmost for His Highest.  Not having had one prior significant conversation and having only hung out my Freshman year with a group of others as "Angel Hall buddies", I was surprised and moved to hear his testimony of how he came to fall in love with Christ.  I thank God (and C.S. Lewis, and G.K. Chesteron, and Owen Barfield, Pastor Paul, Tim Keller...) because He met Paul where he was.

4. During the same night as above, as the jazz band was coming to a close, P asked me to dance (though it was clearly not a place where people dance) to the singer's sultry rendition of "O Holy Night".  I was unaware of his interest at the time and all I could think of was "He's kinda stiff and his hands are sweaty." 

3. After making it clear to Paul, only months before, that I don't need a diamond ring to seal our engagement and that a 25-cent toy ring would do (you get my point), he flew out to l.a. to propose to me in the classroom where I taught (thanks Ed and Eugene for the idea =).  He forgot the order so he asked me to marry him, then got on his knees, then forgot the little blurb he memorized.  Oh even after consulting with Easter that my finger size is 5, somehow he was convinced it was 7 and had to send the ring back to get it resized. 

2. I cherish every night he puts me to bed (because his day isn't quite over until he falls asleep studying) and we talk about everything and anything, laugh over pranks on YouTube, pray, read the Bible (and he spends time explaining stuff I don't get). 

1. When I found out I was 3 weeks pregnant, I kept it from Paul for a little over a week while he finished his final exams.  The day he was done, we went out to eat at our favorite Vietnamese restaurant.  I pulled up a high chair and he gave me a puzzled look.  I mentioned that "we're expecting someone else" but it was a surprise so he needed to guess.  Thinking it was someone coming to celebrate him finishing law school, he proceeded to guess a few family and friends who have babies or may have had a baby recently.  After awhile, I said, "honey, it's me".  He gave me a blank look.  I said it again.  You could see the wheels slowly turning in his head when finally, his eyes got huge and he exclaimed, "You're pregnant?!  You're pregnant??"  I nodded.  He continued, "Le--let's get out of here--what do I do?  Do you know what you're supposed to do?"  I told him no, we can't leave because I'm hungry and yes, I know what to do because I went to the doctor a few days ago.  Then he said, "Really?  Is it a boy or a girl?" 

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY, HUNNY!  I love you very, very much.